Chapter 6

“Okay.” Lia nods and shifts to sit beside her. They wrap their arms around each other, Lia whispering softly into Mom’s hair. She is doing the reassuring I usually do, but today… I just can’t.

My heart warms watching their blonde heads pressed together. I almost start crying, but what would be the point? Ten years in the wild have taught me that tears are useless. They do nothing but show everyone how helpless and hopeless you are. How weak. And weakness isn’t tolerated.

No one saved us. No one came to pull us out. So I did everything myself. Mom and I managed for a while, but she broke down on me. And then it was just me.

Still just me.

And I thought we were finally free of that life. That struggle. We have been for five years, but…

If Dante chooses his mate, it’s over. We’re back to being rogues in the wild again. Celeste wouldn’t waste a second kicking us out.

Dante is waiting on the porch while I take a fast shower, throw on jeans and a T-shirt, and hurry out the door.

“I’m late. I don’t have time to talk,” I say, rushing toward my car.

He says nothing. Just stands there with one hand in his pocket, watching me.

I don’t bother explaining myself or promise anything. I’ll live like he never told me. I’ll keep planning our wedding like nothing has changed. That’s how I’ll cope.

I slide into the driver’s seat, shove the key into the ignition, and turn it.

The engine gives me nothing.

“No, no,” I gasp, gripping the steering wheel. “You can’t do this to me, Annette. Come on.”

I glance through the windshield. Dante is already coming down the porch toward me.

I try again. And again. The grinding sound she makes tells me it’s hopeless. I won’t make it to the market on time on foot. All the best pieces will be gone by the time I get there, and sales will plummet. Sales cannot plummet. Not today.

“I can fix it,” he says through the window, and I wish the glass could’ve blocked his voice. “Come on. It won’t take long.”

I sigh, give up on Annette, and step out of the car. As Dante moves to take over, his shoulder brushes mine, and my heart kicks hard.

I watch him slide into the driver’s seat, try the ignition once, then shake his head.

“It’s the breaker. This one isn’t taking you anywhere today, baby.”

The word makes me jolt. I swallow, avoiding his gaze.

“I need it,” I say, my face still turned away.

The second the words leave my mouth, I almost turn to explain that I mean the car. Nothing else.

Dante’s lips curve into a small, knowing smile. He watches me like he can see straight through my thoughts.

“How about a ride with me?” he asks, jerking his chin toward his bike parked by the corner. A power bike I’ve always been a little afraid of. “I’ll get Ernie to take a look at it. Should be fine by tomorrow.”

Annette was already old when I bought her off that old man trying to sell her cheap. She’s got maybe two good years left before she completely gives up on life. I can’t even be mad she needs a break today.

But if I go with Dante, we’re going to talk.

And if we talk…

I don’t even want to think about it.

I shuffle my feet on the gravel. The day is already bright. I’m running late. I have to go.

“I won’t say anything the whole ride,” Dante says, standing up straight.

He shuts the car door, walks to his bike, and climbs on. The engine roars to life. That sound makes the decision for me.

I walk toward him, climb on behind him, and place my hands stiffly on my thighs, head lowered.

“You can grab on,” he says. “This isn’t your first time.”

He suddenly jerks the bike forward, making me yelp and throw my arms around his waist.

I hear him chuckle as we speed off.

“Jerk,” I mutter, hitting his shoulder lightly.

“I’m sorry,” he says, quick like always. He’s always quick to apologize.

Pressed this close to him, I feel the heat radiating off his body like he’s immune to cold. His scent wraps around me and my mouth practically waters.

I press my nose into his neck. He twitches slightly, shifts, but doesn’t tell me to stop. So I breathe him in deeper, rubbing lightly against the scent gland that first pulled me in five years ago.

It’s almost funny that Dante isn’t my mate. The pull toward him was instant. The second our eyes met, something locked into place. My breath suspended. I wasn't able to breathe until his mouth was on mine, kissing me hard against a tree.

We both shocked ourselves with how fast we ended up in bed. Especially when we were both drowning in responsibility.

Me, the oldest daughter of a rogue family of four. Him, the alpha of a disgraced pack trying to rebuild.

We both carried baggage.

But the moment Dante reached for my hand in what was supposed to be a simple handshake, he dragged me against him instead. Lifted me clean off my feet and crashed his mouth onto mine.

It felt electric.

They say the pull of a fated mate is stronger. Much stronger than what I felt. Stronger than what I thought was unique.

And that pull will probably win over whatever this attraction is called.

Still, I press my mouth to his scent gland and inhale like a needy, starving person.

But Dante…

Dante slowly, deliberately turns his head away. And it stops me cold.